The service was launched last year
With the help of the tree ambulance we removed 25 illegal boards from trees from Middleton Row alone. These trees suffer as much as human beings suffer from such barbaric act,” said Sanjay Jaisingh of Mithri Mitti, an NGO with whom KMC has signed an agreement to operate the tree ambulance for taking care of the ailing trees across the city.
Last month, the ambulance was sent to Middleton Row to save several full-grown trees that were nailed by advertisers displaying ads for paying guest houses and private tutorial centres, according to a KMC parks department official. “We were sent to Middleton Row and its adjoining areas to spot multiple trees that were nailed by advertisers. We have communicated to the advertisers that these trees are not billboards.
This apart, several species of birds that take shelter on a full-grown tree at night are also harmed due to use of excessive lights, felt Samanta.
Who is part of the team that is conducting a drive against nailing of trees, the civic body has identified several major thoroughfares, where this practice has been going on for a long time, according to an official. In the next phase, we will take up several major thoroughfares in Ballygunge-Rashbehari Avenue belt and ask for removal of lights,” said a KMC lighting official. A horticulturist, hanging decorative lights on trees does enough damage to a tree, according to Ranjit Samanta. This sometimes does irreparable damage to a tree,” Samanta said.
For instance, the official pointed out places like Shakespeare Sarani, Sadar Street, Camac Street and Wood Street where KMC has served notices to remove nails from trees. “We will be conducting the drive in phases. In the first phase, we have asked traders of Shakespeare Sarani, Camac Street, Wood Street and Sadar Street to remove commercial boards and decorative lights from trees. “Often the traders who hang decorative lights on trees nail these trees mindlessly.